Interior wall system



Nov. 19, 1968 w.J. BOYLE, JR

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INVENTOR William J. Boyle,

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INTERIOR WALL SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 21, 1965 I' /II/A VIIZ AI FIG .2

mvmox William J. Boy|e,Jr

M a ATTORNEYS W. J. BOYLE, JR

INTERIOR WALL SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 21, 1965 FIG.5.

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wifizwewmm United States Patent 3,411,252 INTERIOR WALL SYSTEM William J. Boyle, Jr., New Orleans, La., assignor to Interior Contractors, Inc., New Orleans, La., :1 corporation of Louisiana Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 499,301 4 Claims. (Cl. 52122) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure of this invention pertains to an interior movable partitioning system in which the wall panels are vertically adjustable to compensate for any inequalities in floor level in which a vertically adjustable cradle supports the lower end portion of the panel and ceiling and sidewall panel devices are provided for receiving the upper end portion and side portions of the panel to permit the vertical adjustment of the panel.

This invention relates to interior wall system, and more particularly to an interior movable partitioning system.

An object of the invention is to provide a framing assembly adapted to receive panels in which the panels are relatively movable incident to the operation of a leveling device beneath the panels at floor level for locally raising and lowering panels to compensate for inequalities in floor level.

Another object of the invention is to provide a partitioning system in which voids are created at strategic areas for receiving soundproofing or fireproofing material.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a system in which provision is made internally for the reception of electrical outlet boxes, switches, wiring, etc.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of pilaster or post construction providing also for freedom of movement of the panels in a substantially vertical direction due to action of the floor leveling devices and which further comprises complemental parts together forming the post which are automatically interlocked when sections of the'post are moved together from opposite sides of the panels.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates the provision in a building construction having a floor, walls, and a ceiling, an interior partitioning system comprising a base structure, at least one panel mounted movably in the base structure, ceiling and wall engaging units for movably receiving upper and side end portions of the panels, means in the base structure for adjusting the panel up and down, a cradle receiving the lower portion of the panel and movably supported by said means, said cradle comprising a bottom member, lower and upper pairs of side wall sections rising from the bottom member, intermediate outward and upward flare divisions between the lower and upper pairs of side wall sections, upward and outward flare upper ends on the upper pairs of side wall sections, and a hollow panel support removably mounted on the lower part of the cradle.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an interior wall system constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing parts broken away and parts shown in section.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken through one of the leveling devices in assembled relation with the included panel partly broken away.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the various parts of the leveling device.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through a form of ceiling channel with the included panel partly broken away and with one member of the channel shown detached in dotted lines.

FIGURE 5 is a similar sectional view taken through a form of ceiling channel with the parts exploded.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal sectional view of a form of wall or abutment channel according to the invention with the included side panel broken away.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a form of pilaster or post with the parts in the detached position.

FIGURE 8 is a similar view showing the parts of the post in an intermediate position and illustrating the relationship between the post and adjacent ends of two of the panels which are broken away.

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of the post in its assembled interlocked position between two panels, also illustrated in elevation and broken away.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in FIG- URE l is shown a portion of an interior wall system constructed in accordance with the invention in which two panels are illustrated with a preferred form of leveling device illustrated at A, a preferred form of ceiling chann l illustrated at B, a preferred form of wall or abutment channel illustrated at C, and a preferred form of pilaster or post illustrated at D.

The leveling device is shown in detail in FIGURES 2 and 3 to which reference will now be made and in which 15 designates a threaded non-rotative stud which may be mounted in the floor or base structure in any suitable manner; for instance, in an internally threaded sleeve 16 imbedded in the concrete or other floor material 17.

A base plate having a perforated central section 18 fitted non-rotatably over the stud 15 has raised outer sections 19 and upstanding terminal flanges 20. The raised sections 19 provide with the floor 17, sockets 21 opening outwardly.

The base plate is held firmly to the floor 17 by a lock washer 22 and a lock nut 23 or other suitable means.

Above the lock nut 23 and rotatably mounted on the stud 15 is a leveling nut 24 having a threaded opening 25 mating with the external threads of the stud 15 and external slots 26 or the like for the accommodation of a spanner or other wrench or tool to effect the rotation of the leveling nut 24 in one or the other directions as it is desired to raise or lower the superposed panel P.

A cradle for the panel is supported on the leveling nut 24 and is movable up and down therewith. This cradle may be of generally channel shape and comprise a bottom wall 27 in which a plain perforation 28 is provided to non-rotatably slip over the threaded stud 15. The panel cradle has side walls rising from the sides of the bottom wall 27 and preferably comprising lower sections 29 and upper sections 30 connected -by outward and upward flares 31 so that the upper wall sections 30 are spaced apart a slightly wider distance than the lower sections 29. The upper free ends of the upper wall sections 30 are also flared outwardly as indicated at 32.

Received in the cradle is a panel support and the lower end of the panel P. The panel support may be an inverted channel com-prising a bottom wall 33 and downwardly extending flanges 34 at the sides of the bottom wall 33. These flanges 34 are spaced apart to slide downwardly into the space confined by the lower wall sections 29. The free ends of the walls 34 on descent will encounter the flares 31 and be guided thereby into a substantially close fit with the lower wall sections 29 of the cradle, in which position the lower free edges of the side flanges 34 will rest upon the bottom wall 27 of the cradle.

The lower position of the panel support is shown in FIGURE 2 where the lower end of the panel P is shown as resting upon the bottom wall 33. In descent, the side edges of the panel P will encounter the free flares 32 thus guiding the panel into its position of rest upon the support 33, the panel being somewhat wider than the support 33, 34, will fit between the more widely spaced upper wall sections of the cradle.

All of these parts may be made of metal, possessing some inherent resiliency so that the descent of the panel support 33, 34 on encountering the flares 31 may spread the walls 29 and stress the same so as to hold the panel support accurately in place. In the same way the descent of the panel P into engagement with the upper free flares 32 will tend to spread the upper wall sections 30 of the cradle and cause the same to firmly embrace the side faces of the panel with which they contact.

An enclosure for the above-described structure may consist of covers 35, 36 in the nature of baseboards, the same being preferably of metal having inwardly extending snap-on flanges 37 and 38 extending inwardly from their lower ends to slide along the floor and into the sockets 21 beneath the base plate.

The upper ends of the covers and 36 have inturned flanges 43 and 44 adapted to contact the panel in spaced relation above the free flares 32.

The parts are shown in assembled relation in FIGURE 2 in which a lock nut 42 threaded on the upper section of the threaded stud engages a lock washer 41 and tightens the same against the bottom wall 27 of the cradle.

In this assembled position an internal space 39 is provided within the panel support between the walls 27 and 33 for receiving electrical outlet boxes, switches and wire lines.

Also as shown in FIGURE 2, a void is formed within the covers 35 and 36 and in the communicating space below the adjusting nut 24 for the reception of soundproofing and fireproofing material such as foam which may be blown into these confined spaces.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 4 and 5, a ceiling unit providing engaging means for the upper end portion of the panel or panels P is shown, the engaging means being preferably an inverted channel. The channel comprises a web and dependent flanges. The web comprises a main section 45 shown in FIGURE 4 as connected with the ceiling by a thin layer 46 of some appropriate sealing material, for instance, a thin or light sheet of polyurethane foam. The web also comprises a stepped-down section 47 which forms with the ceiling a socket 48. The flanges are indicated at 49 and 50, the flange 50 being a stub or short flange. The long flange has an infolded returned end section 51 joined preferably integrally with the lower end of the long flange by a continuous U-bend 52 to present a smooth lower edge lacking any sharp corners or any interrupted or rough surfaces to the adjacent side of the included panel P, keeping in mind that the panel P is subject to raising and lowering movements in the ceiling channel incident to the adjusting action of the floor jack or leveling device, as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3.

The ceiling engaging member or channel is completed by a trim member 53 including an attaching section 54 adapted to slide in the slot 48, as shown in FIGURE 4, in which it has a drive fit for substantially locking with the companion member 47. The trim member 53 has dependent therefrom a long flange 55 with an infolded lower section 56 and rounded nose 57. In other words, the flange 55 may conform in construction to the flange 49 so that these two flanges, preferably of resilient metal embrace opposite sides of the panel P, as shown in FIGURE 4, with the panel having an up and down sliding fit therein. When pushed home the flange '55 of the trim member 53 abuts against the short flange 50 of the companion member which acts as an appropriate stop.

Now the height of the panels P will be less than the height of the ceiling channels to accommodate the lifting and lowering movements of the leveling device in the floor structure, and this height of the panel P will be so related to -the, web members 45, 47 that irrespective of the vertically adjusted position of the panel P, there will be provided an ample void 58 within the ceiling channel and above the upper end of the panel P for the accommodation of the soundproofing and fireproofing material which can be admitted to this void or space 58 before the application of the trim member 53 to its companion channel member.

Referring more particularly to FIGURE 6, a similar construction of end wall or abutment channel is provided in which the parts are similarly numbered, the only difference being that the parts are fitted to a vertical side Wall instead of to a horizontal ceiling, and the long flanges 49 and 55 engage side edge portions of the panel P rather than side edges of the top portion of the panel. In either event the panel engaging device permits of the up and down adjusting movement of panels P incident to the action of the floor adjusting mechanism.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, a form of post or pilaster is provided in which opposed parallel Plates 59 and 60 carry respectively two members 61 and 62 of the post. These members are preferably of substantially bow form having yoke sections thereof affixed in any manner to inner sides of the plates 59 and 60 and having end sections thereof extending toward one another with gaps between such bowed sections. The arms 63 and 64 of the one member 61 are adapted to receive therewith the companion arms 65 and 66 of the companion member 62. These two members 61 and 62 including the arms thereof are preferably of resilient sheet metal. The arms 63 and 64 of the member 61 converge toward the free ends 67 and 68 which are out-turned and in the paths of the opposed arms 65 and 66 of the member 62, which latter arms diverge from the yoke 62 toward the free ends of such arms 65, 66, which latter terminate in free ends 69 and 70 which are inturned.

The construction is such that when the two plates 59 and 60 are pushed together on adjoining side portions of two adjacent panels P, the inturned free ends 69, 70 will ride upon the out-turned ends 67 and 68 and in this way the arms will mutually react upon one another to cause spreading of the arms 63, 64 and movement together of the arms 65, 66. By this action the arms 65 and 66 will enter within the arms 63, 64 and when the two plates 59, 60 are pushed home, as indicated in FIGURE 9, extensive portions of the several walls of the arms will overlap creating high frictional contact between the same by reason of the inherent resiliency in the arms which will tend to hold the arms in the interengaging position and prevent any separation of the plates 59 and 60 except by substantial pulling force applied to one plate or the other, or to both plates in a separating direction.

In the assembled condition of FIGURE 9, it will be noted that those portions of the plates 59 and 60 which overlap adjacent panels P, form slideways in which the panels may move up and down vertically in response to the generation of such movements by the floor jacks or floor leveling devices.

The use of these spring bow members and their interfitting arms form substantial posts or pilasters which are hollow and may therefore contain electrical outlet boxes, switches, wire lines and the like. Punch-outs may be provided at convenient places for outlet and switch boxes, etc. This break-away method of construction of the posts enables the void to be packed with fireproofing or soundproofing material.

The construction described above provides for assembly and disassembly of any singular panel in the wall system. Further, it is pointed out that if the ceiling and wall channels and posts were not made in two pieces, the erection or removal of any singular panel could not be accomplished. Further, it is pointed out, that without the above-mentioned sections being made in two pieces, it would not be possible to pack the voids for desired soundproofing or fireproofing nor would the running of electrical wiring within the system be feasible. The leveling device enables ease and permanency of leveling of a large area heretofore not possible because of unstable shimming devices easily disturbed.

Having thus described my invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that these details need not be strictly adhered to but that various changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a building construction, a base plate, a stud extending from one face thereof to fasten said plate to a supporting surface, a substantially U-shaped cradle having an opening in its web, said stud also having a portion extending beyond the other face of said base plate and through said opening, means supporting said cradle and adjustably movable along said portion, said cradle having a first pair of spaced apart side walls extending from its web and a second pair of spaced apart side walls connected and outwardly flared with respect to the side walls of the first pair to provide a space of greater width between the side walls of the second pair than between those of the first pair, a hollow support mounted snugly between said first pair of side walls resting on said web, said second pair of side walls being adapted to receive a portion of a supported panel between them of substantially the same width thickness as the space therebetween, said base plate having opposite end portions raised with respect to the supporting surface to receive portions of trim members between the base plate and the supporting surface.

2. In building construction according to claim 1, wherein said portion of said stud has screw threads, and means adjustable along the last mentioned portion is a nut in engagement with said screw threads.

3. In building construction according to claim 1, wherein at least two aligned panels are disposed on said support and a pilaster is mounted between the panels, said pilaster including separable parts detachably held together and engaging contiguous end portions of adjacent panels to permit assembly and disassembly of any or all panels.

4. In building construction, a supporting stud, a substantially U-shaped cradle, means screw-threaded on said stud and adjustable along the same supporting said cradle, said cradle having lower spaced apart side walls, said cradle having upper spaced apart side walls, flared connectors between said upper and lower side walls whereby the upper side walls are spaced apart a greater distance than the lower side walls, a hollow panel support mounted within said cradle and having flanges spaced apart substantially the same distance as the said lower side walls whereby the panel support is removably and 'frictionally received between the lower side Walls,- a panel extending between said upper walls and supported on said panel support, the thickness of said panel being substantially the same as the distance between said upper side walls whereby the upper side walls of the cradle frictionally grip the opposite side surfaces of the panel, a base plate underlying said cradle and resting on a support surface, said stud extending through the base plate for anchoring the stud in said support surface and said base plate having portions on opposite sides of the stud spaced from said support surface to aid in the mounting of trim members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,922,694 8/1933 Hansen 52-243 X 1,987,498 1/1935 Stolp 52-468 X 2,030,998 2/1936 Mann 52238 X 2,114,770 4/1938 Shipway et a1 52-242 2,219,714 10/1940 Sperry 52-467 X 2,365,255 12/1944 Eager 52.122 3,049,195 8/1962 Leat et al. 52--238 X 3,189,135 6/1965 Slowenski 52241 FOREIGN PATENTS 580,623 9/1946 Great Britain.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner. 

